Monday, April 7, 1997
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to permit the member to violate the dress code for today and stay in the Chamber? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh), and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1997-98 Departmental Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Health, as well as the '97-98 Departmental Expenditure Estimates for the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Urban Affairs): I would like to table the Supplementary Departmental Estimates '97-98 for the Manitoba Seniors Directorate and also '97-98 Departmental Expenditures for Manitoba Housing.
Hon. David Newman (Minister of Northern Affairs): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the Northern Affairs Estimates today.
Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): A point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder if there is leave of the House to revert to Reading and Receiving Petitions so the petition could be read. There was some disruption, I suppose you could call it, in the House at the time.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to revert to having the Clerk read the petition? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. It is the will of the House that the Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT the increase in violent crimes in Manitoba since 1990 has been more than three times as much as the Canadian average; and
THAT crime can only be effectively dealt with through both prevention and suppression; and
THAT the tough talk of the Manitoba Justice minister has not been matched with action; and
THAT Manitobans want a positive, comprehensive response to crime and gang crime that provides alternatives for youth; and
THAT the New Democratic Party has put forward an 18-point plan to deal with gang crime; and
THAT this plan is divided into elements focused on both the justice system and families, schools and communities; and
THAT this costed plan has been subject to widespread consultation and has been praised as a detailed plan to fight youth crime that is well thought through and constructive.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative
Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Justice (Mr. Toews) to consider using this action plan as a basis for provincial policy on organized criminal gangs.